Summer is officially here – and that means it’s time to enjoy barbeques, pool parties, and concerts underneath cloudless blue skies. Of course, summertime also means that you’ll need to be more vigilant about your sun care than ever before – otherwise, you might end up getting the kind of sunburns that can later lead to brown spots, hyperpigmentation, discoloration, and even skin cancer.

That’s why, no matter what your plans for the summer might be, it’s important to find the right sunscreen for your skin. But with so many options lining the shelves of your local drugstore, it might seem like a confusing – if not impossible – project. How do you know which sunscreen you should buy? What ingredients should you look out for?

Wonder no more – because you’ve just found your ultimate guide to finding the right sunscreen for your skin:

Most sunscreens contain any combination of six active ingredients, all of which act as filters to block the sun’s UV (ultraviolet) rays from damaging your skin. When you go outside without sun protection on, you have about ten to twenty minutes before your skin starts to burn. Once a sunburn happens, you’ve already damaged your skin, thus increasing your risk for hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and even skin cancer.

When shopping for sunscreen, make sure you find a bottle that contains a combination of two of the following: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, zinc oxide, and/or titanium dioxide. If you’re looking for the most natural sunscreen possible – without sacrificing coverage – opt for the last two on this list.

Make sure you’re choosing an SPF of 30 or higher. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor – and it’s an accurate measurement of how strong the sunscreen will be in protecting your skin against UV rays. The higher the SPF, the more protected your skin will be. If you opt for anything lower than an SPF of 30, there’s a good chance you’ll still end up with sun-damaged skin.

Repeat after us: There’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen! Whenever you swim or sweat, you’ll need to reapply your sunscreen. You should also reapply after every hour spent out in the sun.

If you’re looking for the best sunscreen – one that won’t clog your pores or make you feel sticky – check out our line of sunscreen at Accent Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Tupelo, Mississippi today! Call (662) 377-6290 for more information.